LIGHT

• Light – Electromagnetic radiation that the unaided human eye can perceive, having a wavelength
in the range from about 370 to 800 mm and propagating at a speed of 186,281 mi./sec (299,972
km/sec).

• Nanometer – A unit of length equal to one billionth of a meter, used esp. to express the
wavelengths of light in or near the visible spectrum. Abbr. nm.

• Angstrom – A unit of length equal to one ten-billionth of a meter, used esp. to express the
wavelengths of radiation. Symbol: A.

• Ultraviolet – Of or pertaining to electromagnetic radiation having wavelengths from about 370 nm,
immediately beyond the violet in the visible spectrum, to 10 nm, on the border of the X -ray region.

• Infrared – Of or pertaining to electromagnetic radiation having wavelengths from about 800 nm,
contiguous to the red end of the visible spectrum, to 1 mm, on the border of the microwave region.

• Luminous intensity – The luminous flux emitted per unit solid angle by a light source, expressed in
candelas.

o Candlepower – Luminous intensity expressed in candelas. o Candle – A unit of luminous

intensity used prior to 1946, equal to the luminous intensity of a wax candle of standard
specifications.

o Candela – The basic SI unit of luminous intensity, equal to the luminous intensity of a
source that emits monochromatic radiation of frequency 504 x 10 to the 12th power hertz
and that has a radiant intensity of 1/683 watt per steradian. Also called standard candle.
Abbr. Cd.

o Steradian – A solid angle at the center of a sphere subtending an area on the surface equal
to the square of the radius of the sphere. Abbr. Sr.

 Solid angle – An angle formed by three or more planes intersecting at a common point.

• Luminous flux – The rate of flow of visible light per unit time, expressed in lumens.

o Lumen – The Si unit of luminous flux, equal to the light emitted in a solid angle of one
steradian by a uniform point source having an intensity of one candela. Abbr. lm

• Inverse square law –One of several laws relating two quantities such that one quantity varies
inversely as the square of the other, as the law that the illumination produced on a surface by a
point source varies inversely as the square of the distance of the surface from the source.

o Cosine law – The law that the illumination produced on a surface by point source is
proportional to the cosine of the angle of incidence. Also called Lambert’s law.

• Illumination – The intensity of light falling at any given place on a lighted surface , equal to the
luminous flux incident per unit area expressed in lumens per unit of area. Also called luminance.

o Lux – The SI unit of illumination, equal to one lumen per square meter. Abbr: lx

o Foot-candle – A unit of illumination on a surface that is everywhere ne foot from a uniform

point source of one candela and equal to one lumen incident per square foot.
 Luminance – The quantitative measure of brightness of a light source or an illuminated
surface, equal to the luminous intensity per unit projected area of the source or surface
viewed from a given direction.

• Luminance – The quantitative measure of brightness of a light source or an illuminated surface,

equal to the luminous intensity per unit projected area of the source or surface viewed from a given
direction.

o Lambert – A unit of luminance or brightness equal to 032 candela per square centimeter,
Abbr. L

o Foot-lambert – A unit of luminance or brightness equal to 032 candela per square foot.
Abbr. FL

o Brightness – The sensation by which an observer is able to distinguish between differenced

in luminance.

• Law of reflection – The principle that when light or sound is reflected from a smooth surface, The
angle of incidence is equal to the angle of reflection, and the incident ray, the re flected ray, and the
normal to the surface all lie in the same plane.

• Angle of reflection – The angle that a reflected ray makes with a normal to a reflecting surface at
the point of incidence.

• Angle of incidence – The angle that a straight line, as a ray of light falling on a surface, makes with
a normal to the surface at the point of Incidence.

• Reflection – The return of light, sound, or radiant heat after striking a surface.

• Incidence – The striking of a ray of light or sound wave on a surface.

• Refraction – The change of direction of a ray of light as it passes obliquely from one medium to
another in which its velocity is different.

o Angle of refraction – The angle that a refracted ray makes with a normal to the interface
between two media at the point of incidence.

• Diffraction – The modulation of light or sound waves as they bend around the edges of an obstacle
in their path.

• Specular – Directed from a smooth, polished surface.

• Diffusion – A scattered reflection of light from an irregular surface or an erratic dispersion through
a translucent material.

o Diffuse – Dispersed from an irregular surface.

• Reflectance – The ratio of the radiation reflected by a surface to the total incident on the surface.

• Absorptance – The ratio of the radiation absorbed by a surface to the total incident on the surface.

• Transmittance – The ratio of the radiation transmitted through and emerging from a body to the
total incident on it, equivalent to minus the absorptance.

• Opaque – Impenetrable of light.

• Translucent – Transmitting and diffusing light so that bodies on the opposite side are not clearly
visible.

• Transparent – Capable of transmitting light so that bodies of situated beyond or behind can be
distinctly seen.

• Lamp – Any of various devices for producing light or heat, as by electricity or gas.

• Incandescent lamp – A lamp in which a filament gives off light when heated to Incandescence by
an electric current. Also called light bulb.

o Filament – The threadlike conductor of an electric lamp that is heated to incandescence by

the passage of an electric current.

 Incandescence – The emission of visible light by a body when heated to a high

temperature.

o Bulb – The glass housing of an incandescent lamp, filled with an inert gas mixture, usually
of argon and nitrogen, to retard evaporation of the filament, Its shape is designed by a
letter, followed by a number that indicates the lamp diameter.

o Lamp diameter – The maximum diameter of a lamp bulb measured in eights of an inch.

o Maximum overall length – The dimension in inches from the base of a lamp to the point on
the bulb farthest away, or the base-to-base dimension of a lamp having a base at each end.

o Light center length – The distance in inches from the center of the filament of a lamp and a
reference plane on the lamp base.

o Lamp base – The part of a lamp that connects to a lamp holder.

o Lamp holder – A device for mechanically supporting and making electrical contact with a
lamp. Also called lamp socket.

• Extended-service lamp – A lamp designed for reduced energy consumption and a life longer than
the conventionally set value for its general class. Also called long-life lamp.

• Efficacy – A measure of the effectiveness with which a lamp converts electric power into luminous
flux, equal to the ratio of flux emitted to power input and expressed in lumens per watt.

• Rated life – The average life in hours of a given type of lamp, based on laboratory tests of a
representative group under controlled conditions.

• Three-way lamp – An incandescent lamp having two filaments so that it can be switched to three
successive degrees of illumination.

• Tungsten lamp – An incandescent lamp having a tungsten filament.

• Tungsten-halogen lamp – A tungsten lamp having a quartz bulb containing a small amount of a
halogen that vaporizes on heating and redeposits any evaporated tungsten particles back onto the
filament. Also called halogen lamp, quartz lamp.

• IR lamp – A tungsten-halogen lamp having an infrared dichroic coating for reflecting infrared
energy back to the filament, raising lamp efficiency, and reducing radiant heat in the emitted light
beam.
• Infrared lamp – An incandescent lamp having a higher percentage of its radiant power in the
infrared region than a standard incandescent lamp, often having a red glass bulb to reduce the
radiated visible light.

• A bulb – The standard rounded shape for the bulbs of generalservice incandescent lamps.

• B bulb – A flame-shaped for low-wattage, decorative Incandescent lamp.

• C bulb – A cone-shaped bulb for low wattage, decorative incandescent lamps.

• CA bulb – A candle-shaped bulb for low-wattage, decorative incandescent lamps.

• R bulb – A reflector bulb of blown glass for incandescent and high-intensity-discharge lamps,
having an internal reflective coating and either a clear or frosted glass front to provide the desired
beam spread.

• PAR bulb – A parabolic aluminized reflector bulb of cast glass for incandescent and high-intensity
discharge lamps, having precisely formed internal reflector and a lensed front to provide the desired
beam spread.

• ER bulb – An ellipsocial reflector bulb for incandescent lamps, having a precisely formed internal
reflector that collects light and redirects it into a dispersed pattern at some distance in front of the
light source.

• A/SB bulb – An A bulb having a hemispherical, reflective silver bowl opposite that lamp base to
decrease glare.

• G bulb – A globe-shaped bulb for incandescent lamps, having a low brightness for exposed use.

• PS bulb – A pear-shaped bulb for large incandescent lamps.

• S bulb – A straight-sided bulb for low-wattage, decorative incandescent lamps.

• MR bulb – A multifaceted reflector bulb for tungsten-halogen lamps, having highly polished
reflectors arranged in discrete segments to provide the desired beam spread.

• TB bulb – A quartz bulb for tungsten-halogen lamps similar in shape to the A bulb but having an
angular profile.

• Discharge lamp – A lamp in which light is produced by the discharge of electricity between
electrodes in gas-filled glass enclosure.

• Fluorescent lamp – A tubular discharge lamp in which light is produced by the fluorescence of
phosphors coating the inside of the tube.

• Fluorescence – The emission of radiation, esp. of visible light, by a substance during exposure to
external radiation.

o Ballast – A device for maintaining the current through a fluorescent or HID lamp at the
desired constant value, and sometimes also providing the required starting voltage and
current.

o Starter – A device used with a ballast to provide the starting voltage for a preheat
fluorescent lamp.

o T bulb – A tubular bulb for incandescent, fluorescent, and high-intensity discharge lamps.
• Phosphor – Any of a number of substances that emit light when excited by radiation.

• Triphosphor - A phosphor having peaks in three specific color regions, red, blue, and green, used to
improve the color rendering of a fluorescent lamp.

• Circline lamp – A doughnut-shaped fluorescent lamp for circular luminaires.

• U-bent lamp – A U-shaped fluorescent lamp for square or rectangular luminaires.

• Compact fluorescent lamp – Any of various small, improved efficiency fluorescent lamps having a
single, double, or U-shaped tube, and often an adapter for fitting an incandescent lamp holder.

• Preheat lamp – A fluorescent lamp that requires a separate starter to preheat the cathodes before
opening the circuit to the starting voltage.

• Rapid-start lamp – A fluorescent lamp designed to operate with a ballast having a low-voltage
winding for continuous heating of the cathodes, which allows the lamp to be started more rapidly
than a preheat lamp.

• Instant-start lamp – A fluorescent lamp designed to operate with a ballast having a high-voltage
transformer to initiate the arc directly without any preheating of the cathodes.

• High-output lamp – A rapid-start fluorescent lamp designed to operate on a current of 800

milliamperes, resulting in a corresponding increase in luminous flux per unit length of lamp.

• Very-high-output lamp – A rapid start fluorescent lamp designed to operate on a current of 1500
milli amperes, providing a corresponding increase in luminous flux per unit length of lamp.

• High-intensity discharge lamp – A discharge lamp in which a significant amount of light is produced
by the discharge of electricity through a metallic vapor in a sealed glass enclosure.

o BT bulb – A bulged tubular bulb for high-intensity-discharge lamps.

o E bulb – An ellipsoidal bulb for high-intensity discharge lamps.

• Mercury lamp – A high intensity discharge lamp producing light by means of an electric discharge
in mercury vapor.

• Sodium lamp – A high-intensity discharge lamp producing light by means of an electric discharge in
sodium vapor.

• Low-pressure sodium lamp – A sodium lamp producing a yellow, glare less light and used esp. to
illuminate roadways.

• High-pressure sodium lamp – A sodium lamp producing a broaderspectrum, golden-white light

than a low-pressure sodium lamp.

• Metal halide lamp – A high-intensity discharge lamp similar in construction to a mercury lamp, but
having an arc tube to which various metal halides are added to produce more light and improve
color rendering.

• Neon lamp – A cold-cathode lamp emitting a glow when a high voltage is applied across two
electrodes in a neon-filled glass tube.

• Cold-cathode lamp – A discharge lamp having cathodes that emit electrons without having to be
heated.
• Luminaire – A lighting unit consisting of one or more electric lamps with all of the necessary parts
and wiring for positioning and protecting the lamps, connecting the lamps to a power supply, and
distributing the light. Also called lighting fixture.

• Reflector – A surface for reflecting light, heat, or sound, esp. the device on a luminaire having such
a surface for controlling the distribution of light emitted by a lamp.

• Lens – A piece of transparent material, as glass or plastic, having two opposite surfaces either or
both of which are curved, used in luminaires to focus, disperse, or collimate the emitted light.

• Freshnel lens – A lens having concentric, prismatic grooves to concentrate light form a small
source.

• Prismatic lens – A lens having a multifaceted surface with parallel prisms to redirect the rays from a
light source.

• Parabolic reflector – A reflector having a parabolic surface to collinate, spread, or focus the rays
from a light source, depending on the location of the source.

• Collimate – To make rays of light parallel.

• Elliptical reflector – A reflector having an elliptical surface to focus the rays from a light source.

• Ridged baffle – A series of circular ridges for reducing the brightness of a light source at an
apartment.

• Diffuser – Any of a variety of translucent materials for filtering glare from a light source and
distributing the light over an extended area.

• Louver – A finned or vaned device for controlling the radiation from a light source.

• Eggcrate – A louvered construction divided into cell-like areas and used for redirecting the light
emitted by an overhead source.

• Baffle – A louvered device for shielding a light source from view at certain angles.

• Shielding angle – The angle below which a light source can be seen.

• Candlepower distribution curve – A polar plot of the luminous intensity emitted by a lamp,
luminaire, or window in a given direction from the center of the light source, measured in a single
plane for a symmetrical light source, and in a perpendicular, parallel, and sometimes a 45 degree
plane for an asymmetrical source.

• Isochart – A graphic plot of the pattern of illumination produced on a surface by a lamp or

luminaire.

• Isolux line – A line through all points on a surface where the level of illumination is the same.
Called isofootcandle line if illumination is expressed in footcandles.

• Luminaire efficiency – The ratio of luminous flux emitted by a luminaire to the total flux emitted by
the lamps in the luminaire.

• Point source – A light source having a maximum dimension less than one fifth the distance from
the source to the surface illuminated.
• Wall washer – A downlight mounted close to the plane of a wall and equipped with a reflector,
baffle or lens to illuminate the vertical surface.

• Floodlight – A lamp designed to project or diffuse a comparatively uniform level of illumination

over a large area. Also called flood, flood lamp.

• Downlight – A luminaire consisting of a lamp set in a metal cylinder, recessed into or mounted on a
ceiling to direct a beam of light downward.

• Spotlight – A lamp designed to project a strong, focused beam of light on an object or area. Also
called spot.

o Spill – Superfluous or useless light rays, as from a spotlight or other focused light source.
Also called spill light.

• Track lighting – Lighting provided by adjustable spotlight mounted along a narrow ceiling or wall-
mounted metal track through which current is conducted.

• Linear source – A light source having one dimension significantly greater than its other dimensions,
as a fluorescent lamp.
o Light strip – A rigid or flexible tape with exposed low-voltage light sources of 1 to 10 watts.

o Troffer – A luminaire having a trough-shaped reflector holding one or more fluorescent

lamps.

• Area source – A light source having significant dimensions in two directions, as a large window or a
luminous ceiling.

o Cove lighting – Indirect lighting directed upward from an interior cornice at the edge of a
ceiling.

o Valance lighting – Indirect lighting directed upward or downward from a light source
concealed by a horizontal board or band.

o Cornice lighting – Indirect lighting directed downward from an interior cornice at the edge
of a ceiling.

• Droplight – A lighting fixture suspended from a ceiling or wall by a flexible cord, by which it can be
raised or lowered.

• Pendant – A lighting fixture suspended from a ceiling.

• Bridge lamp – A floor lamp having the light source on a hinged, horizontally adjustable arm.

• Gooseneck lamp – A desk lamp having a flexible shaft resembling the neck of a goose.

• Torchiere – A floor lamp having its light source within a reflecting bowl that directs the light
upward. Also, torchere, torchier.

• Chandelier – A decorative lighting fixture suspended from a ceiling, usually having branched
supports for a number of lamps.

• Sconce – A decorative wall bracket for candles or other lights.

• Lighting – The science, theory, or method of providing illumination through the use of electric
lamps.

• General lighting – Lighting designed to provide a uniform level of illumination throughout an area.

• Local lighting – Lighting designed to provide a relatively high level of illumination over a small area,
with a surrounding area of lower intensity from spill light.

• Accent lighting – Lighting that calls attention to a particular object or feature in the visual field, or
that forms a decorative pattern on a surface.

o Highlight – To emphasize by illuminating with a strong light.

o Backlight – To illuminate something from behind in order to enhance depth or to separate

the subject from its background.

o Sidelight – Light coming or produced from the side.

o Soft light – Diffuse light that produces little contrast and poorly defined shadows on the
subject.

o Hard light – Direct light that produces high contrast and distinct shadows on the subject.

• Task lighting – Lighting designed to provide strong illumination for a visually demanding activity, as
reading or drafting.

• Direct lighting – Lighting in which luminaires distribute 90% to 100% of the emitted light downward
on the surface or area to be illuminated.

• Semi-direct lighting – Lighting in which luminaires distribute 60% to 90% of the emitted downward.

• General diffuse lighting – Lighting form luminaires that emit an approximately equal distribution of
light upward and downward.

• Glare – The sensation produced by any brightness within the visual field that is sufficiently greater
than the luminance to which the eyes are adapted to cause annoyance, discomfort, or loss of
visibility.

o Blinding glare – Glare so intense that, for an appreciable length of time after it has been
removed, visibility is lost.

o Disability glare – Glare that reduces visibility or impairs visual performance, often
accompanied by discomfort.

o Discomfort glare – Glare that produces discomfort but does not necessarily interfere with
visibility or visual performance.

o Direct glare – Glare resulting from a high brightness ratio or an insufficiently shielded light
source in the visual field.

o Reflected glare – Glare resulting from the specular reflection of a light source within the
visual field. Also called indirect glare.

o Veiling reflectance – Reflected glare on a task surface that reduces the contrast necessary
for seeing details.
• Adaptation – The regulating by the pupil of the quantity of light entering the eye, resulting in a
change in the sensitivity of the eye’s photoreceptors to light.

• Visual comfort probability – A rating of the likelihood that a lighting system will not cause direct
glare, expressed as the percentage of people who may be expected to experience visual comfort
when seated in the least favorable visual position.

• Brightness ratio – The ratio between the luminance of an object and that of its background. Also
called contrast ratio.

• Semi-direct lighting – Lighting in which luminaires distribute 60% to 90% of the emitted light
downward.

• General diffuse lighting – Lighting from luminaires that emit an approximately equal distribution of
light upward and downward.

• Direct-indirect lighting – General diffuse lighting in which little light is emitted in the horizontal
plane of the luminaires.

• Semi-direct lighting – Lighting in which luminaires distribute 90% to 100% of the emitted light
upward, esp. to avoid glare or prevent shadows.

• Point method – A procedure for calculating the illumination produced on a surface by a point
source from any angle, based on the inverse square and cosine laws.

• Spacing criteria – A formula for determining how far apart luminaires may be installed for uniform
lighting of a surface or area, based on mounting height.

• Beam spread – The angle of a light beam that intersects the candlepower distribution curve at
points where the luminous intensity equals a stated percent of a maximum reference intensity.

o Beam – A group of nearly parallel rays of light.

o Throw – The effective length of a beam of light.

• Lumen method / Cavity method – A procedure for determining the number and types of lamps,
luminaires, or windows required to provide a uniform level of illumination on a work plane, taking
into account both direct and reflected luminous flux.

• Work plane – The horizontal plane at which work is done and on which illumination is specified and
measured, usually assumed to be 30 in. (762 mm) above the fl oor.

• Ceiling cavity – The cavity formed by the ceiling, a plane of suspended luminaires, and the wall
surfaces between these two planes.

• Room cavity – The cavity formed by a plane of luminaires, the work plane, and the wall surfaces
between these two planes.

• Floor cavity – The cavity formed by the work plane, the floor, and the wall surfaces between these
two planes.

• Room cavity ratio – A single number derived from the dimensions of a room cavity for use in
determining the coefficient of utilization.
• Light loss factor – Any of several factors used in calculating the effective illumination provided by a
lighting system after a given period of time and under given conditions. Formerly called maintenance
factor.

• Coefficient of utilization – The ratio of the luminous flux reaching a specified work plane to the
total lumen output of a luminaire, taking into account the proportions of a room and the
reflectances of its surfaces.

• Coefficient of utilization – The ratio of the luminous flux reaching a specified work plane to the
total lumen output of a luminaire, taking into account the proportions of a room and the
reflectances of its surfaces.

• Recoverable light loss factor – A light loss factor that may be recovered by relamping or
maintenance, as lamp lumen depreciation, and room surface dirt depreciation.

o Lamp lumen depreciation – A light loss factor representing the decrease in luminous
output of a lamp during its operating life, expressed as a percentage of initial lamp lumens.

o Luminaire dirt depreciation – A light loss factor representing the decrease in luminous
output of a luminaire resulting from the accumulation of dirt on its surfaces, expressed as a
percentage of the illumination from the luminaire when new or clean.

o Room surface dirt depreciation – A light loss factor representing the decrease in reflected
light resulting from the accumulation of dirt on a room’s surfaces, expressed as a percentage
of the light reflected from the surfaces when clean.

• Non-recoverable light loss factor – Any of several permanent light loss factors that take into
account the effects of temperature, voltage drops or surges, ballast variations, and partition heights.

• Daylighting – The science, theory, or method of providing illumination through the use of light of
day.

• Daylight – To provide an interior space with daylight from both direct and indirect sources.

• Skylight – The light from the sky, reflected and diffused by air molecules.

• Sunlight – The direct light of the sun.

• Ground light – Sunlight or skylight reflected by surfaces below the plane of the horizon.

• Zenith – The point on the celestial sphere vertically above a given position or observer.

• Counter light – Light originating from sources facing each other as from window in opposite walls.

• Cross light – Light originating from sources not facing each other, as from windows in adjacent
walls.

• Clear sky – A sky having less than 30% cloud cover with the solar disk unobstructed. Also, the CIE
standard for a reference cloudless sky condition, having the greatest luminance near the sun and
least luminance 90 degree from the sun.

• Cloud sky – A sky having between 30% to 70% cloud cover, with a solar disk obstructed.

• Overcast sky – A sky having 100% cloud cover. Also, the CIE standard for a reference sky having a
luminance distribution three times brighter near the zenith than at the horizon.
• CIE – Commission Internationale de I’Eclairage, an International commission developing
definitions, standards, and procedures for the art, science, and technology of lighting.

• IES – Illuminating Engineering Society, a professional society in North America devoted to the
development and dissemination of standards and procedures relating to the art, science, and
technology of lighting.

• Daylight factor method – A method for calculating the performance of a daylighting system, based
on the daylight factor.

• Daylight factor – A measure of daylight illuminance, expressed as the ratio of daylight illumination
at a point on a given plane to the simultaneously measured illuminance on a horizontal plane from
an unobstructed sky of assumed or known luminance distribution.

o Sky component – A component of the daylight factor, equal to the ratio of daylight
illumination at a point on a given plane received directly from a sky of assumed or known
luminance distribution to the simultaneously measured illuminance on a horizontal plane
from an unobstructed hemisphere of this sky.

o External reflected component – A component of the daylight factor, equal to the ratio of
the daylight illumination at a point on a given plane received directly from exterior reflecting
surfaces to the simultaneously measured illuminance on a horizontal plane from an
unobstructed sky of assumed or known luminance distribution.

o Internal reflected component – A component of the daylight factor equal to the ratio of
the daylight illumination at a point on a given plane received directly or indirectly from
interior reflecting surfaces to the simultaneously measured illuminance on a horizontal
plane from an unobstructed sky of assumed or known luminance distribution.

• Artificial sky – A hemispherical dome or similar enclosure illuminated by concealed light sources
that simulate the luminance distribution of a clear or overcast sky, used for studying and testing
daylighting techniques on architectural models placed near its center.

• Heliodon – A device for orienting an architectural model to a light source representing the sun,
calibrated with respect to latitude, time of day, and seasons of the year and used for studying
daylighting techniques and shadows cast by the sun.